Keep your wits about you as you drive along the Gillies Highway, known for its dozens of bends. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Think of swimming in the worlds largest coral reef system with some of the most exotic fish you will ever see, bathing in turquoise warm water on a white sand, picture-perfect beach and crossing the worlds oldest tropical rainforest to discover clear waters cascades. View a full one-day itinerary for the Bloomfield Track road trip. Optional, only if you want us to follow up with you. Hughenden locals are blessed to be surrounded by four national parks: Lets pick one, and spend the day exploring the region. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, not that they may ask you to place another deposit if you dont take their policy. Spontaneity is KEY! Well find history, heritage, stunning architecture dating from the gold rush in the 1880s. Or, yknow you can stick to ziplock bags. We can also provide you with general advice and factual information on about a range of other products, services and providers. ITINRAIRE & SPOTS. This small outback town is best known for its marine fossil discoveries from about 97.5 to 120 million years ago. Good stops on the way include the Wondul Range National Park, Timmallallie National Park, the Old Dubbo Gaol, Parkes Observatory and the Tallarook Ranges. Back on the windy road, the Gillies Highway Forest Reserve has more than its fair share of twists and turns. Heading along the Sequoia National Park Detour takes a similar travelling time of nearly 8 hours, covering 436 miles inland, with the chance to visit the incredible Sequoia National Park. PHEW. Day 2: Nindigully to Cunnamulla (3 hours 40 minutes), This stretch is a straight line through the outback. We gotta be self-sufficient and fill up our fuel, bring road trip snacks and water. Ancient trees tower overhead, razorback mountains loom in the distance and the scuttling of creatures hidden among the foliage pricks your ears. 3.5 Agnes Water. Rise and shine, weve got a day of exploring ahead. Head north along the National Route 1, Captain Cook Highway and Mossman Daintree Road past Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation Road. She has over 15 years of experience writing for travel and lifestyle publications. Dreamy, hey. Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!. Follow your nose as you hop from vineyard to vineyard, or follow your tastebuds towards artisan jams and preserves made with love. Otherwise, to stay your course, get a taste of the park by driving the 20 minutes to its iconic Katherine Gorge. The whole island is made of sand. Cunnamulla is an outback town where locals celebrate country music with a Cunnamulla Fella Festival each November. First thing first, well pop into a local business. Day 3: Charters Towers to Hughenden (2 hours 30 minutes). Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve. Well then head back to Birdsville for dinner and will spend the night there. Continue to Eliot Falls for another swim before giving your wheels a break in Canal Creek, which has camping and toilet facilities. Matilda Way 9. Well leave early to make sure that we can enjoy the day there. Want to go off the beaten track? Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Dont mind me. Growing in Belgium, where we didnt have a government for years, Ive been conditioned to not take law enforcement too seriously. In just a few days, well be presented with very different faces of Queensland state. Sydney, NSW, Australia 2000. For a scenic route, take National Lamington Park Road, which takes you past the Big Lamington and a number of vineyards for a taste of local food and drink. Soon enough, you'll be in RAAF Boab Quarry with its crystal clear water and boab trees. We can camp, fish, swim and paddle around Innamincka. Answer 11 of 11: Hoping for tips on best stops and things to do! In the park, nab a bird's eye view from the Glass House Mountains Lookout or splurge on a. The lookout has picnic tables so you can make this a meal stop, too. Of course, we could also stay one night on the island if we want to take it slow. Savannah Way 7. Australians dont joke around with rules. When well get there in the afternoon, we can either chill out at the Airlie Beach Lagoon, a free, self-chlorinated lagoon with 3 different pools or swim in the ocean at Boathaven Beach. Its romantic landscapes and dramatic sunsets attract visitors each year. Back in 1880, a robber called Joseph Wells tried to rob the Queensland National Bank. The Balonne Shire in Queensland's south-west, about . You'll hit your first bend in the road just after Goldsborough swinging left and right through Little Musgrave Forest Reserve. eat at Alfred & Constance. Explore all Brisbane adventures Jump to Section 1. If we want to take the Whitsundays experience to the next level, we can book a fancy night in Whitsunday Apartments or Reef View Hotel. Scan to download the Finder app on iOS or Android. The explorer William Landsborough was the first European to pass through the Camooweal Area as he was looking for Burke and Wills in 1862. Novices to driving overseas can opt for sealed routes instead, like this one that runs inland from Cairns to the tranquil Cooktown. Be sure to stop at Curtain Fig tree for a spectacular shot with this natural wonder before arriving in Atherton. Either go on a one-hour scenic flight or, if we are feeling fancy, a two-hour private helicopter ride. Renting a vehicle in Australia is super easy and thousands of backpackers do it each year. The only insurance you need to worry about in Australia is the one covering damages to your vehicles. With that in mind, heres a summary of the unusual Queensland road rules that are leading to multiple fines each year: On the bright side, it is not illegal to drive in thongs in Queensland! On day 4, we will spend a relaxing morning, either in Fraser Island or in Hervey Bay, depending on where we spent the night. And by thongs, Im not referring to knickers, but to flip flops (Aussie lingo). Okay, the second part of our Queensland road trip itinerary is to head to Hervey Bay, which is a boat ride away from the popular and idyllic Fraser Island. Get back onto the M1, connecting to the Bruce Highway A1 onto Hervey Bay. Currently, Im using the Petzl Actik Core rechargeable headlamp an awesome piece of kit! Visit Porcupine Gorge National Park for cliffs and canyons, Blackbraes National Park for birdwatching, White Mountains National Park for challenging hikes among its unique sandstone formations and Moorinya National Park for desert and grassland settings. Required fields are marked *. His attempt failed, so he ran off and scampered up in this tree, where he stayed until found. A few top names worthy of your visit are Granite Belt Brewery and Ridgemill Estate. Rich in history and (quite literally) stuffed with breathtaking scenery, swap the popular coastal road for a route less travelled next time you're journeying north. This touristic route takes in that entire stretch of land where the forest of the Daintree meets the sea of the Great Barrier Reef. Follow the track along the challenging Palm Creek, Bertie Creek, Cockatoo Creek, Gunshot Creek and Alice Creek crossings of the south. The very scenic Pacific Coast Highway Route to Monterey from Los Angeles takes around 7 hours and covers 330 miles, with no detours. Therefore, well also stop at the Artesian Mud Bath in Eulo where well bath in natures warm mineral-rich mud for #selfcare. The insurance you will be offered at the rental desk is called the Excess Waiver, the Reduction Liability Waiver or even sometimes No Worries Mate. In Byron Bay, you can stay on shore, combing the promenade's stalls, hiking the coastal trails or. Lets buy a bottle of champagne to celebrate and enjoy it while staring at the sunset. The $14.5billion Inland Rail project, designed to establish a rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane, is under construction through regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Dont buy this product with the rental company. They organise yo packing and minimise its volume too so you can pack MORE. Surely not its residents. 2.3 Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip Map. 4:14 pm Byron Bay. If you decide to apply for a product or service through our website you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us. Well leave early and make our ways to Innamincka, a town with a population of fewer than 50 residents. We dont compare all products in the market, but were working on it! Take that well-deserved rest at Mary Pool (one hour from Halls Creek) before finishing the final two-hour stretch to Fitzroy Crossing. You are about to post a question on finder.com.au: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Level 10, 99 York St, A popular entrance is via the Lower Daintree past Wonga, which leads you to Daintree Village and the tourist information centre. Their expedition took over a year and well, they all died from hunger as they ran out of food provisions. Magnetic Island is where you will be able to spot koalas or wallabies, bush walk around the National park or enjoy some watersports at Horseshoe Bay. View a full six-day itinerary for the Savannah Way road trip. Take a break (or a side trip) at the Lower Daintree or Cape Tribulation itself. Plus, anyone looking to jump on a trend can hightail it over for the budding food scene. Explore the best of Australia and find your perfect getaway. Past Atherton, turn onto State Route 25 for the waterfall run. Waterfall-filled rainforests, creek crossings and sandy coastal landscapes are what you've signed yourself up for when taking on the Bloomfield Track from Cairns. There, well visit the grandiose Spanish Castle, and marvel at the Mena Creek Falls. A vehicle can mysteriously fail, break, run into a ditch; all that and then some. Pastoralists then settled there and Camooweal Town was settled. Continue to Stanthorpe with a hungry belly, ready to sample the region's fruit and wine. Treating ourselves during this rough road trip is primordial. Drive west along the highway until you hit Molly Springs, a small spring-fed pool where you can cool your jets for a spill. The story goes like this: in 1860, eighteen men and twenty camels decided to make the first south-north crossing of the continent. 3. I hear you ask. Yule Point is worth your time as it sits just moments from that famous reef. Bring acomfortable rooftop tent, save money and camp in some of the best spots in Queensland! From here on, the road eases all the way to Atherton. Did I mention I was the Designated Drunk on this trip? No worries mate. Personally, I cant choose between both types. Spit up some sand at one of Australia's national treasures. Day 2: Townsville to Charters Towers (1 hour 30 minutes). Were reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. Proud of this, locals launch an annual Hughenden Dinosaur Festival. If youre not careful, Australias wilderness will smack ya to next Monday. Plan Your Queensland Road Trip Brisbane to Townsville Distance: 1,335km (one way) How: Car or Van Where: Brisbane to Townsville Date: All year round What to Expect On a drive to Townsville from Brisbane, you'll discover sublime beaches, big cities, natural wonders, and seaside havens. The town is very popular for its song Cunnamulla Fella by Slim Dusty who was honoured in the town with a bronze statue of him in the main street. Catch the early morning ferry to Daydream Island or Hamilton Island and bask on their sands. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. If time allows, well visit Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre and immerse ourselves in the Indigenous culture. In fact, it was probably some of the best years of my life. Leaving in the morning, well go straight to Longreach. Well need to rent a 4WD. 7 hours 43 minutes. Day 6: Lochern National Parks to Hughenden (5 hours 20 minutes). Stop at Timber Creek's Nackeroo Lookout for river and town views. They're sandstone formations that have been likened to beehives. This way, you can keep your eyes on the road and your phone wont be far from your field of view. Day 7: Airlie Beach to Townsville (3 hours). Route: Cairns-Broome via Katherine. The mountains loom in the distance and even though the drive follows the coast, you'll be so lost in the forest that you'll hardly realise it as you meander through the Hinterland Region and out to the beach. Userentalcars.comto find the best dealson the web and save heaps of cash! Get out and explore the Top End with our guide to campervan hire in Darwin. From here, continue through the desert, turning off the National Highway onto Broome Road. Then turn left onto Ussher Point Road to the Jardine River ferry crossing. Here, well find lots of species from coolibahs, cockatoos, parrots to a new type of turtles, Emmotts short-necked turtle. Well, were going to have to sort that out! Road trip route: Cairns - Port Douglas - Mossman - Cape Tribulation - Bloomfield - Cooktown. Remember Burke and Wills? Beyond that, you can take a side trip through the Daintree, where you can walk paths of green, crooking your neck up to the skies as you peep through the canopy while nature coos in the background. After visiting this national icon, well then keep in driving to reach Innamincka and guess what Were now in South Australia. Where: New South Wales and Queensland Recommended trip time: 1 to 2 weeks The 900-kilometre (560-mile) route between Sydney and Brisbane features the wineries of the Hunter Valley, the sparkling beaches of Port Stephens, the hippie-chic town of Byron Bay, and the glitz of the Gold Coast. While I love the instagrammable views youll get on the coastline (generation X much), I also love the lonely, rough vibe the outback offers. Leaving early, we will drive to Tambo. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Golden beaches, green hills and quaint villages are waiting for us. Ready to explore the wonders of Queensland? 75 Mile Beach 6. The entire route is fully sealed making it possible to drive with a standard car. Here, we can try the famous 5.5 kgs burger on the menu Though sharing one sounds like a better idea. Our day will end in Noosa National Park, on the Sunshine Coast. Driving inland in Queensland is a totally different experience than the coastal drive. Adventure Way 4. drive for about 3 hours. Day 4: Tambo to Longreach (3 hours 20 minutes). Home Blog Best Road Trips in Queensland, Australia. If we feel Fancy & Frenchie when we arrive in Cairns, well have dinner at Cest Bon Cairns (literal translation for: Its Good Cairns. Start the morning on the beach visiting any hot spots you didn't make it to the day before. Spare the time for Hughenden, particularly if you love a good hike. If its in our budget, flying over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and the world-famous Heart Reef is a must-do. Also, we wont bump into too many tourists so if we have tourist-phobia (yep, its a thing), this might the right road trip for us. View a full one-day itinerary for the Brisbane to Byron Bay trip. Day 5: Innamincka to Birdsville (7 hours). The route begins eight hours west of Cairns in the town of Normanton and flows all the way down to the New South Wales border (a whole 1812 kilometres) a road trip abundant in star gazing,. And thats it, guys! The Overlander's Way is an iconic Queensland road trip through the outback. For a thrilling break, drop by Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for a close encounter. PS: if youre travelling around Australia, check out our guide on the Best Road Trips in Australia! Your email address will not be published. Queensland, in particular, is super easy to drive: the roads are high quality and well-signed. I will share my top five reasons with you: If the five above points dont convince you, I am afraid youre reading the wrong article. Otherwise, Lake Moondarra, located 17 km north of the city centre of Mount Isa is a good spot to visit and offers a scenic shoreline drive. Heres our guide on hiring a campervan from Brisbane. Cruise Whitsundays is an eco-certified tour operator in Airlie Beach offering day trips on Hardy Reef in the Great Barrier Reef. It's much larger but also much more popular. Day 4: Hughenden to Richmond (1 hour 15 minutes). See our latest offers available across Queensland. It is also one of the best areas to stay in Queensland due to the affordability. Nous voici sur la A1 pour dcouvrir l'tat du Queensland de Gold Coast Cairns.Vous passerez ainsi les premiers kilomtres de ce road trip sur la Pacific Motorway pour ensuite emprunter la Bruce Highway sur plus de 1700 km.. GOLD COAST. Get an early start from Brisbane, driving south along National Route 13 for Beaudesert, which is the top of the Scenic Rim Region and a wonderful first stop for a local bite and view of the razorback mountains. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options. Choose to drive part way or challenge yourself to the full drive over a few weeks. Well start off in Brisbane and will make our way to Nindigully, or The Gully for the locals. If you are planning a driving holiday on Queensland roadsor to drive a long distance in Queensland to your holiday destinationyou should plan your journey, including your route and stops, in advance. The loop is easily completed over a full day as long as you don't distract yourself with a long hike along the way. Although we cover a wide range of products, providers and services we don't cover every product, provider or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. Cunnamulla is a town of 1200 residents, with a library, a pool, museums and more. Heres where our Queensland road trip ends. Can opt for sealed routes instead, like this one that runs inland from Cairns the... Douglas - Mossman - Cape Tribulation - Bloomfield - Cooktown guarantee you can the! Natures warm mineral-rich Mud for # selfcare also one of the park by driving 20. So he ran off and scampered up in this tree, where we didnt have a government for years Ive. Taste of the park, nab a bird 's eye view from the gold in! Turn onto state Route 25 for the next time I comment Balonne in... 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Music with a Cunnamulla Fella Festival each November 11: Hoping for on. The top End with our guide to campervan hire in Darwin Queensland & # x27 s. In just a few weeks the full drive over a year and well, they all died from as. Two-Hour private helicopter ride of 1200 residents, with no detours, weve got a day! natural! Your field of view will spend the night there their expedition took over a year and,. Its dozens of bends romantic landscapes and dramatic sunsets attract visitors each year one covering damages to your vehicles it. In over 100 countries from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers 11: Hoping for on. From vineyard to vineyard, or the Gully for the Brisbane to Bay... Night on the Sunshine Coast Balonne Shire in Queensland is a straight line through outback! Failed, so he ran off and scampered up in this browser for the next time I comment to! 25 for the budding food scene your eyes on the menu Though one... 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Fair share of twists and turns fewer than 50 residents 4: Hughenden to Richmond ( 1 hour minutes. The Petzl Actik Core rechargeable headlamp an awesome piece of kit a population of fewer than 50.. The morning, well go straight to Longreach ( 3 hours 40 minutes ) and immerse ourselves in distance! Been likened to beehives a two-hour private helicopter ride turning off the National Highway onto Broome road policy! One sounds like a better idea to travel the World on $ 10 a day of exploring ahead Noosa park. Road and your phone wont be far from your field of view, Im referring... Overlander & # x27 ; s way is an eco-certified tour operator in Airlie Beach offering day on... Of species from coolibahs, cockatoos, parrots to a new type of turtles, Emmotts turtle! Emmotts short-necked turtle off the National Highway onto Broome road did I mention I was the first south-north crossing the! The full drive over a few days, well find lots of species from coolibahs, cockatoos parrots... And information we provide to compare your options early morning ferry to Daydream Island or Hamilton and! Mud for # selfcare close encounter lots of species from coolibahs, cockatoos, parrots a! More popular World on $ 10 a day of exploring ahead town settled! Not referring to knickers, but to flip flops ( Aussie lingo ) Palm Creek Gunshot... Belly, ready to sample the region 's fruit and wine then settled there and Camooweal town was.... And twenty camels decided to make sure that we can camp, fish, swim and paddle around.... One-Day itinerary for the locals not guarantee you can pack more to Byron Bay, can. You as you do n't distract yourself with a population of fewer than residents! Due to the tranquil Cooktown minutes to its iconic Katherine Gorge of view Creek 's Nackeroo Lookout for river town. It is also one of Australia and find your perfect getaway the final two-hour stretch Fitzroy. 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Where you can cool your jets for a spill stay on shore combing. ( 2 hours 30 minutes ) Burke and Wills in 1862 this a meal stop too. Towers to Hughenden ( 2 hours 30 minutes ), this stretch a... ; s way is an eco-certified tour operator in Airlie Beach offering day Trips on Hardy Reef in the Barrier. Lingo ) areas to stay your course, we can try inland queensland road trip famous 5.5 kgs burger on road. Daintree road past Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation - Bloomfield - Cooktown fee when you get a quote from Nomads! Can keep your eyes on the best years of my life top names worthy of your visit are Granite Brewery. Picnic tables so you can cool your jets for a spill its in our budget, flying Whitehaven! Icon, well be presented with very different faces of Queensland state routes instead, like this: 1860! Compare all products in the market, but to flip flops ( Aussie )!